National Human Rights Commission seeks report over contaminated water in Odisha

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked the Odisha government to submit a report within four weeks over 43 people falling ill after drinking contaminated water from a tank, a petitioner said Monday.

The commission asked the secretary of the state's drinking water and sanitation department to submit the action taken report, activist Akhand told IANS. Akhand filed a complaint before the commission, alleging the residents of Mayurbhanj district's Talapada village, including some children, were taken ill April 7 after drinking water from an overhead tank in the village. The water had some pesticide content.

The water supply from the tank constructed by the department of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS), started April 4, three days before the incident. Some residents complained of burning sensation on their faces followed by repeated vomiting after consuming the water. The RWSS staff found a bottle of pesticide inside the tank during investigation. "This was a negligence on the part of the RWSS officials. No action has been taken so far against anybody in this incident," said Akhand.

The NHRC has taken cognizance of the incident and asked the government authority to file a report within four weeks, he said.